People who are not included in the trip may have information and comments to offer.

Remember that different people will check the forum at different intervals.

Remember that some people may not be able to check or post to the forum from where they work.

Exchange e-mail addresses and use direct e-mail too.

Post a summary to the forum after big changes or big decisions.

If you don't hear from somebody, don't assume that they are just agreeing with everything.

Steps

Sorry if much of the following seems rather obvious, but trips do have problems because the obvious is not actually done.

Start

Decide that there will be a trip.

Do not underestimate the importance of this step. Many trips never progress beyond the good idea stage.

Level

Decide what level of experience the trip should need.

Is the trip for 4 star paddlers or for 1 star paddlers who will use it to qualify for a 2 star?

Coordinator

Agree who is the Trip Coordinator

The Trip Coordinator is not the Leader. The Leader leads the paddling. The Coordinator makes lists and does not even have to go on the trip.

This is the point at which many trips fail. There can only be one Trip Coordinator. They can, of course delegate a lot of the actual tasks and expect a lot of help from the other trip members, but in the end they must be the single point where all the information is collected and checked.

The Trip Coordinator needs to be very explicit when delegating tasks.

The Trip Coordinator will probably need a working knowledge of Excel and a solid sense of humour.

There can only be one Trip Coordinator. Believe this.

Who and When

Decide who is going and when you are going

The classic chicken and egg issue. Accept in advance that there will always be somebody who cannot manage the chosen date. Allocate a solid cut-off date for making this decision.

This is another point where trips can fail. It is generally wise to agree a date that is in the future. Also, far enough in the future for things to be organised in time!

Leader

Ensure that you have a suitable Leader

If the trip is for 4 star paddlers, it is reasonable to assume that they will not need a more qualified Leader. They may, however, hire an external coach to teach as part of the trip. Note that for trips like this, most people probably have their own boats and kit.

If the trip is for 1 star paddlers who will use it to qualify for a 2 star, then the trip needs a suitably qualified Leader to lead and oversee the paddling itself. For trips like this, people generally want to borrow club boats and most kit.

When seeking a Leader - be very explicit. Ask them if they would lead the trip. Do not ask them if they would like to go on the trip.

Ask the Leader if they would need any Helpers, if so how many and what is the maximum size of the group.